Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Machine or implement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-16
2001-01-23
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Machine or implement
C072S253100, C072S255000, C072S274000, C072S275000, C072S468000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176064
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to flashing. More particularly, the present invention relates to flashing and a method for forming the same. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a method for forming flashing for adaptation to freeze boards.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Flashing is a building material that is employed to prevent water seepage into a home or other building. Metallic flashing is sold in rolls or sheets of sheet metal thin enough to allow a builder to cut, form and modify sections of the flashing for different applications. Generally, a builder will take the roll of sheet metal and cut it to a desired length. At that point, the cut length is formed to a required angle by pounding the sheet metal against the corner of a board, or it is manually bent.
For example, a builder is generally required to manually bend flashing around each window casing. To accomplish this task, flashing is cut to the desired length, then formed by placing the flashing up against the casing, and hit with a hammer until the flashing takes the form of the casing or board. This process is often slow and labor intensive. Moreover, manually forming an angle, in even moderate lengths of flashing, seldom provides a uniform angle across the entire length.
Some companies, acknowledging the fact that forming flashing at a building or remodeling site is very time consuming, pre-form specialized flashing pieces at a factory or shop. Most pre-formed flashing is formed by a method of pressing or stamping. An apparatus and method for pre-forming flashing for roof vent pipes is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,467 (1975, C. Clement). The flashing is formed by pressing a role of sheet metal with a male die against a female die thereby taking on the shape of the dies. Additionally, each die set will make one flashing piece at a time. This device will work well in an assembly line set up, creating numerous pieces by feeding the roll through the set of dies. Unfortunately, stamping out pieces is only economical in a manufacturer setting. The apparatus is too big to move around from site to site the way a builder moves.
What is needed is a device that is inexpensive to manufacture, and small enough to be able to be moved from site to site. What is also needed is a device that is compact and that it is easily stored and set up. In addition, the device should be capable of forming angles along an entire roll of flashing, to an entire length of pre-cut flashing or to portions of a roll or cut piece of flashing. What is further needed is a device to form multiple angles in flashing, including a Z-shaped angle. Z-shape angles in flashing are commonly used on the top of window and door casings and comprise a flashing member having two substantially perpendicular angles, with each of the three segments of the flashing having a variable length as appropriate for the task. Additionally, the device should be able to accommodate forming a variety of angles at different lengths and sizes of flashing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture, and is capable of forming flashing to various angles. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable forming flashing to various angles, and small enough to be able to be moved from site to site. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device that is capable of forming flashing to various angles, and compact so that it is easily stored and set up. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device that is capable of forming flashing to various angles along an entire length of sheet metal or in small sections of flashing material. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is capable of forming multiple angles in flashing at different lengths and sizes, including a Z-shaped angle.
The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a device that is capable of forming flashing to various angles, and is compact and easy to set up. The present invention is a device for forming flashing comprising a plate with at least one groove cut through it. Additionally, the groove in the plate has at least one angle changing the groove from a first direction to a second direction on the plate. (For example, if only one angle was to be used, the groove would be in the form of a V-shape.) The flashing is manually shaped at one end to an angle approximating the angle of the groove in the device and then inserted into the groove. The flashing is then pulled through the device creating a uniform bend along the length flashing passing through the device.
In one embodiment of the present invention the device also includes at least one adjustable guide slidably attached to the groove. The guide provides support to the flashing as it passes through the groove. This guide may be combination of a bolt and nut, a shaft with latches to fix it in a given position, a clamp, or any other device known in the art that would provide an adjustable guide for a groove.
The device may also include, as shown in one embodiment, a measuring means in-line with the groove. Some examples of a measuring means may include a scale, measuring tape, tick marks (indented or raised), or any other means known in the art for measuring a linear distance along a groove. The measuring device may be integrated into the plate or attached to the plate by some other means.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes at least one groove wherein the angle forms a Z-shape. Z-shaped angles in flashing are commonly used by builders. The angle may also be sized to form the flashing to an applied window casing. Additionally, the angle may be sized to form the flashing to an applied door casing. Furthermore, the angle may be sized to substantially fit a three-quarter inch window and freeze board flashing, a one-inch freeze board flashing, or other size freeze board flashing.
Another embodiment of the present invention further comprises a means for supporting shaping plate. This is achieved by attaching the shaping plate to rigid structure such as a building's frame structure. The frame structure gives the device support to prevent movement while pulling the flashing though a groove in the shaping plate. Examples of a means for attaching may include at least one clamp, webbing, string, rope, blocks, adhesive, or any other means for attaching known by one skilled in the art. The device may also include at least one aperture, which preferably would be placed around the perimeter of the shaping plate. The aperture would further expand the means for attaching to include nails, screws, bolts, pegs, anchors, or any other device that could be used to attach a plate to a support structure through an aperture.
The device for forming flashing may also include varying thickness in the groove. The groove may vary between approximately ⅛ inch thick to approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch thick. The varying thickness allows the flashing to bend in areas without rippling (i.e., around corners). Transitions between the varying thickness may be gradual or abrupt. The groove may also be a constant thickness. A groove with a constant thickness may be approximately ⅛ inch thick. These dimensions may be adjusted to accommodate flashing of various thickness.
Other embodiments may include an angle that is adjustable to preset degrees. The adjustable angles allow available space on the plate to be conserved. The angle may be adjustable for acute, substantially right and obtuse angles. The adjustment could be set by a variety of ways. For example, block inserts may be added to a portion of the groove, which is shaped to the desired bend. Another example of an adjustable angle may include a pinned guide that assists the flashing in bending only at a certain preset angle.
The present invention also includes a method of forming flashing comprising
Kent Christopher T.
Mesmer & Deleault, PLLC
LandOfFree
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